Friday rolled around pretty quickly. The tense atmosphere in the Forger household didn't go away at all. Anya ate breakfast and left to wait for the bus without acknowledging her parents. Only Bond got a goodbye. They couldn't argue as their daughter was not well. Both Loid and Yor knew that even if they manage to patch things up it wouldn't all be the same. At least not immediately. The hurt would linger.

Of course, what neither knew was that despite all of this Anya was in a fairly good mood when she arrived at Eden. It was simple, it was Friday. Today was her first official date with Damian. Even if it was a study date. It was the next best thing seeing as they were secretly together. She felt her good mood waver a bit. If she was more honest she wouldn't need to hide their relationship- no! She must never reveal the truth. Ever.

Anya marched into class and sat in her seat. The chatter happening around her was more so than usual. She was early again so she half expected Becky to scold her again for not waiting for her by the entrance. She'll also likely get interrogated by Damian. He's been onto her about her obvious avoidance of the issue. Sure Becky was the first to know about what's been happening but she doesn't suspect Anya has been fishing for her to hang out after school as an excuse to not go home. Damian caught onto that real quick. But it makes sense why he, of all people, would notice and understand.

She sighed and waited for her friends to arrive. Luckily this time she wasn't sick or anything.

On cue, the boys walked in immediately noticing Anya. They greeted her like usual.

"Hey, Forger."

"Hey Ewen, Emile."

The two blondes went to their seats. Damian stayed behind, and Anya noticed he seemed frozen in place.

Thank god those two said something I was about to ruin everything by greeting Anya with a kiss.

Anya blushed slightly. "Morning sy-on boy!"

"Morning." He walked straight to his seat looking a little robotic. She's so cute today! It's taking everything in my very being to not break our promise and PDA rules!! His face was red.

Anya suppressed the urge to giggle. She sat at her desk, the boys starting a conversation about the upcoming spring dance that Anya once again had forgotten about.

"I don't know who I'll ask, probably Alice," Emile said, shrugging.

Ewen sighed and crossed his arms. "I get you, I don't know who I'll ask."

"What about Becky?" Damian said with a slight smirk.

That caught Anya's attention as she turned around. The boys noticed but didn't say anything as it's usually normal for her to suddenly jump into the conversation. "Ewen likes Becky?" She almost gasped.

Ewen blushed deeply. "I- I DO NOT!" He cursed his stuttering. Fuck! Was I obvious?!

Anya burst out laughing and then quickly covered her mouth. The boys looked at her like she had gone mad. Shit. "Sorry, I remembered something funny." So Ewen has a crush on Becks? That was an interesting development.

"Just ask her, the worst she could say is no," Emile suggested ever so casually.

Ewen glared at him. "No! We all know Becky has super high standards, the only thing going for me is that I'm blonde!" He began to sulk.

Anya sweatdropped. It was no surprise Becky has a thing for blondes considering her first major crush was her Papa. Anya got up and walked towards Ewen, patting him on the shoulder. "Hang in there."

"Anya!"

She giggled.

At that moment Becky walked in noticing the chatter. "What am I missing out on? Anya! You weren't at the entrance again!" She crossed her arms and pouted.

"Sorry Becks, had a rough morning." She said that last part in a quiet tone only she could hear.

Becky blinked and immediately understood. "Oh my dear Anya, we'll talk during lunch." She gave her a reassuring smile. Anya smiled back.

The teacher walked in advising students to sit down as class was starting. Anya sat down in her seat and started her day.

-

"God math is so boring!" Anya complained. The five teens were heading toward the cafeteria.

"Math has never been my strong suit either, let's complain together," Emile said, joining in on Anya's hatred for math.

Becky shook her head. "If you had paid attention in class-"

"I know, I know!" Anya groaned. "It's just so hard!" She continued grumbling.

"It's a good thing Damian is tutoring you today," Ewen added, nudging Damian who was distracted from reading something.

"Wha- oh, yeah Anya and I have that study session. I was so busy with other stuff I almost forgot." He closed his book. As if I'd forget our date but I have to play it cool.

Anya playfully rolled her eyes. "It's going to be so boring." She let out a long groan to emphasize the boring part.

"Hey!"

They all shared a laugh.

The girls soon parted ways as they planned to speak in private. Becky led Anya to their usual private area by the gardens. The same area Anya had confessed to Becky everything. She sat down balancing her lunch as she did. Things weren't going to get any better for the Forger family and Anya was so close to just accepting the loss. When they settled down comfortably it was like a dam was opened with Anya spilling the beans and tears falling as she did. Becky was so taken aback it took her a bit to understand what Anya was saying, by the end she got the gist of it and even she felt sad. Loid and Yor were such a perfect couple. She couldn't understand what possible situation they could have gotten themselves into to warrant divorce. Her parents fight sometimes but they always resolve their issues. She figured this is what was going on and Anya was merely not used to it. Unfortunately, Becky read the situation wrong.

"Oh, Anya." She hugged her poor friend who seemed to shed tears endlessly these days. She hated seeing Anya cry so much. She was always so positive and outgoing.

"I don't know what to do Becky." She wiped her tears but more kept appearing. "They're in love! And yet…" She took the tissue Becky was offering her and blew on it.

Becky sighed, completely ignoring the snot-infused tissue that was now beside them seeing as a trash can was nowhere near them. "Love is so complicated Anya, sometimes loving each other isn't enough." She wasn't sure what to say to make Anya feel better. But Becky wasn't dumb, she can't lie to her friend to spare her feelings. Sometimes reality was just that cruel. Becky would know.

Anya looked at her momentarily. "Love… isn't enough?" She clenched her skirt feeling a wave of anxiety overcome her. Would Damian's love for her not be enough to potentially forgive her one day? Would her love not be enough to get him to forgive her? To show him she's sincere and that although it all started with a mission to befriend him it grew into something more? Would he even believe her? She paled remembering all the times Damian would complain about people using him to get close to his parents. Is that not what I'm trying to do right now?!

No this was different, surely it was different right? Because she loved him, if she didn't she would have told her Papa. She would have convinced him to take her to his house and…

Sooner or later Operation Strix will come to an end and it'll result in Damian being hurt no matter what.

Anya wanted to vomit.

Becky shook her head. "It's not… sometimes the best option is letting go." She let out a sigh. If only…

Anya tilted her head curiously. She watched as Becky looked at some flowers longingly. Then it hit her. "Becky, are you in love?!"

Becky's eyes went wide with shock. SHE COULD TELL?! "WHAT?! ME?! NO! NO! NEVER-!" She paused. "...Was it obvious?!"

Anya slowly nodded but quickly added. "Well prior no but your face right now gives it away."

Becky hid her face in embarrassment, she let out a groan. "It's the worst!"

"Why is that?"

Becky looked around and leaned in. "Promise you won't say anything?"

"Promise."

"Pinky swear?"

"I pinky swear!"

With that settled, Becky took a deep breath and laid it all out. "I may or may not have a teensy tiny small minuscule crush on Ewen." Her voice kept getting lower and lower with each word. But Anya could hear it all.

She let out a gasp. "Ewen?! I didn't see that coming. Although looking back they seemed to be hanging out more. Granted Emile was always there but perhaps she had hung out alone without him, Anya or Damian. Plus she did just find out Ewen also has a crush on her.

Becky nodded while covering her face. Her face was beet red. "It just happened!"

Anya patted her back understanding, her crush on Damian just happened out of nowhere as well. "I understand… but wait, why is that a bad thing?" He also likes you back but I can't tell you that!

Becky looked at Anya with an 'are you serious' face. "Anya… I'm a Blackbell!"

"...And?"

Becky crossed her arms. "I'm not allowed to settle for less! Sure Ewen's parents are rich but they're not Blackbell rich so my dad would never allow it!" Her face was full of despair. "I'm also a girl and an only child so my dad will want the best possible suitor for me!"

The higher society was always an enigma to Anya but she understood Becky's issue. She would have had a similar issue had Damian not been the second son. "Surely he wouldn't mind, right? I know your dad! He always strives to make sure you're happy." She held her hand as Becky's eyes began to water.

"I know but this is an issue we will never see eye to eye on." She sniffed and clutched Anya's hand. "I'll never be able to be with the one I love so I want you to at least have that chance." She smiled at her.

Anya stiffened. "What do you mean?"

Becky rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean Anya. You and Damian are totally in love!"

If Anya had been drinking something at that moment she would have spit it out. "What?! No!" She shook her head so fast it caused her a headache.

Becky looked at her knowingly. "Anya dear, you've liked him since the first grade."

"No! That's not-" She groaned. I can't tell her it was for the mission! "It wasn't like that I just wanted to be his friend because he seemed cool at first but then he was annoying but then he wasn't so…" She paused her rambling and noticed Becky eyeing her. Figuring her out.

"Are you sure it was just that?" She inquired.

Anya blushed. "Yes! If anything it was Damian who had a crush on me!" She huffed and crossed her arms.

"I mean yeah that was obvious since the third grade when he told off a boy in Wald Hall for giving you chocolates, you were none the wiser." She giggled remembering that incident.

Anya's jaw dropped. "That's what happened?!" She always wondered why she never got that promised chocolate. She was so upset Damian got her peanut cover chocolates. Now she understood why he felt bad!

Becky burst out laughing. "You were so naive and dense Anya!"

"Hey! Don't make fun of me!"

Becky wiped a tear from her eye. "If you guys dated you would be the cutest couple!"

Anya's face only got redder. If only you knew.

-

Damian didn't like the idea of eating lunch again without Anya's presence but he understood the girls were having a private conversation. If he had to guess it was likely about her family situation. Likely no good news otherwise he would have heard about it first. She had an air of sadness masked behind her smile when he saw her this morning. He desperately wanted to hug her and reassure but…

Damn, I hate this situation.

Perhaps if he had confessed sooner when the Forger's weren't in a crisis things would be different. He would talk with Pops or Ms. Forger. Help Anya's family somehow so things would be better for her. He didn't like seeing her sad. Her tears were like acid. His weakness. He let out a sigh.

Emile looked at him curiously. "What's on your mind boss?"

Ewen looked at him as well. "Yeah what's up?"

Damian shrugged. "Nothing, just thinking about exams."

Emile shook his head. "Already? We had those weeks ago."

"As expected of lord Damian, always steps ahead." Ewen praised him.

Damian cringed a bit. "Stop calling me that."

"Force of habit." They said in unison.

Damian merely sighed again. Oh well. He wondered how Anya was doing. He half expected her to talk about her issues at home later. Even if it was supposed to be their first date he didn't mind. His mind began to wander as he took a bite out of his spaghetti.

"Say, Boss… are you and Anya dating?" Emile asked out of nowhere.

Damian began to choke, causing Ewen to help him out and make sure he didn't die. Emile passed him his drink which he quickly chugged down. "What the fuck?!"

"Oh, profanity!" Ewen exclaimed knowing something was about to go down. Damian never curses like that unless he's mad!

Emile glared at Ewen knowing what he meant by saying that. He was prepared for the potential wrath of his friend by asking such a question however Damian was more embarrassed than mad. Luckily they couldn't read his mind otherwise they'd know he was freaking out on the inside.

OH GOD ARE WE THAT OBVIOUS?! AM I OBVIOUS??!! ANYA IS GOING TO KILL ME!! "What makes you think that?!" He tried to ask calmly but he couldn't. DOES THE WHOLE SCHOOL KNOW?!?!?!

Emile shrugged. "I don't know, you guys seem more close and secretive than usual. Plus aren't you in love with her?"

"Yeah, you've liked Anya since the first grade." Ewen chimed in.

Damian blushed and covered his face. Unfortunately for him when he blushes it's too obvious. "I did not!"

"No point in denying it."

"Yeah."

He glared at them.

"What? You know we're right! You're too obvious." Ewen pointed out.

Damian rolled his eyes. "Oh like your crush on Blackbell?"

"...Low blow."

Emile laughed loudly. "A group of five and I'm somehow third wheeling." He sighed and then groaned. "A group of five and I'm third wheeling?!" Damian and Ewen rolled their eyes.

"No you're not, Blackbell doesn't even like me." Ewen had a slightly sad look on his face. He had already resigned himself to the obvious but it didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"And how do you know that? Sure Blackbell has high standards but you have something no one else has." Damian said.

Ewen raised an eyebrow. "What would that be?"

"Her friendship, you know what she likes and dislikes, you two are close and hang out a lot even after school," Damian stated the obvious. Granted it seemed to barely register in Ewen's brain.

Emile sensing this rolled his eyes. "You have an advantage."

It finally clicked. "Oh… yeah you're right!" But then he deflated. "And yet I'm still somehow losing." Damian and Emile shook their heads as Ewen cried out in despair. It was hopeless.

"Could be worse, you could be like Damian who's been crushing on a girl since the first grade, finally befriended her, and still won't ask her on a date." Emile snickered as Damian looked at him in shock.

He scowled at him. "I'll have you know-!" He paused and stiffened, eyes going wide.

"Let us know what? That you're hopeless?" Emile said with a laugh, Ewen joining in.

Damian took in a deep breath. Shit, I was about to confess. He could already see Anya's disappointed face at the idea of him almost revealing their relationship. He didn't like lying. And he didn't know why at the very least their friends couldn't know. Becky already knew about the Forger family crisis and yet Anya didn't want to tell Becky they were dating. Why didn't she want to at least tell her, of all people?? Plus if any of his friends knew things would be so much easier! He didn't want to question his dear girlfriend though. She had enough on her plate as it is. But despite it all, it was rather frustrating and it's only been a few days.

The boys were finally settling down from their laughter. Damian stared at them in silence. Noticing this they stopped, feeling worried.

"Boss?"

"You good?"

There was some silence before Damian spoke. "If Anya and I started dating would you guys be okay with that?" He suddenly asked. They looked at him weirdly before looking at each other.

"Obviously," Ewen said.

"Why wouldn't we be fine with it? I mean sure we didn't like her when we were young but ever since we all became friends and got to know her we realized she's cool." Emile replied.

Damian sighed. "What if we were secretly dating? Would you guys be okay with that?" What am I doing?!

Ewen shrugged. "I mean if you guys were you'd probably have a good reason."

"Yeah although I don't know why you're asking us these questions, it's not like you are." Emile crossed his arms observing his friend. "Right…?"

Damian began sipping on his drink.

"Right?"

He started sipping even more.

"Damian?"

He was practically chugging it at this point. A realization hits them both at the same time.

"ARE YOU GUYS SECRETLY DATING?!" They yelled in unison.

Damian immediately shushed them and looked around. Luckily not many students were out as they all preferred to eat inside. "Will you guys shut up!"

"Well, are you?!" Ewen asked urgently, he needed to know.

Damian shushed him again.

Emile's eyes went wide. "You guys are dating!"

"I never confirmed or denied anything!" Damian quickly said.

"Your silence is the answer." Ewen pointed out.

Damian groaned. "...Yes we are." The two immediately bombarded him with questions. He felt a migraine incoming.

Anya is going to kill me for this.

…

Okay I may or may not have typed this all out at 1 in the morning all the way to 2 in the morning LMAO

Listen! When the inspiration hits it hits and I needed to finish this chapter because I've had such bad authors block since August it's insane I tell ya!

I haven't even been able to type even just a few words for my other story sugar and spice and I keep getting comments asking me for another chapter

Chapters will come when they come peeps I promise I won't abandon my stories xD

In other news I have a ko-fi!

(Link on my profile)

You can support me if you'd like

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